mmg.com.au

Rochester Community House staff and volunteers spent last week busily putting the final touches on a new space which is ready for the community to enjoy.

Last month the House moved from its previous location on Mackay St to the new Rochester Community Hub, near the shire hall.

The new computer lab at the house, which consists of six new computers, came about thanks to a grant from the Elmore/Lockington and Rochester Community Bank’s Rochester Flood Appeal.

Rochester Community House co-ordinator Amanda Logie said the new lab was designed to help local employers who wished to offer computer training to employees.

‘‘Employers don’t need to go out of town for that sort of training anymore,’’ she said.

Ms Logie is in the process of applying for a grant to cover the cost of a mentor which will reduce the cost of the computer training.

‘‘If we get a grant for the tutor, we can offset our costs (to residents),’’ she said.

‘‘Instead of paying $50, they may only pay $10.’’

Ms Logie said the six computers could also be used by members of the public between 10am and 2pm (Tuesday to Friday) who could provide proof of identity.

Zumba Tai Chi and Aerobics classes are now held in the shire hall instead of the Uniting Church hall and the floor space is greater for meetings and events at the new building.

Ms Logie said the modern layout was user friendly and also used the floor space for strength and balance classes.

‘‘We were a bit concerned it would lose that homely (in the new building) feeling, but it is very welcoming,’’ she said.

‘‘People come through the (Campaspe Shire) building to pay their rates and bills and come in (to the Community House).’’

Ms Logie said the Rochester Community House was there for community members and would help district residents in anyway it could.

‘‘It’s all about community engagement,’’ she said.

People came in for all sorts of advice and help with grant applications or referrals could be provided, she said.

She said grants were becoming ‘‘super competitive’’ and the house relied on them to continue to provide additional services to the community.

Ms Logie said she was strongly campaigning for more paid hours, which would allow them to open officially five days per week.

The Rochester Community house is funded for 15 paid hours per week by the State Government and wants to see this increased to 20, Ms Logie said.